Mixing container and methods of making and using the same

ABSTRACT

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a container that allows the even distribution of a first product (e.g., a condiment) to a second product (e.g., popcorn) housed within the container interior. Particularly, the disclosed container comprises a main compartment that is sized and shaped for housing a product onto which a condiment is to be evenly distributed. The container further comprises an extension portion separated from the main compartment by a line of perforations. The extension portion includes an access port for depositing items into the container interior, such as popcorn, salt, butter, seasonings, and the like.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a container thatenables the mixing of two or more products, and to methods of making andusing the container.

BACKGROUND

Many consumers in today's society enjoy finger foods, i.e., foods thatcan be eaten by hand. Such foods are often served in containers, such asbags and/or tubs. However, one difficulty with prior art containers isthe inability to evenly distribute condiments throughout the entirecontainer. For example, moviegoers often find it difficult to evenlydistribute butter, salt, and/or other seasonings throughout a bag or tubof popcorn. A moviegoer typically purchases popcorn at the concessionstand before a movie begins. Butter, salt, or other seasonings can thenbe added to the top of the popcorn after the bag or tub is filled.Normally, the moviegoer will shake the container in an attempt todistribute the condiments across the entire portion of popcorn. However,because the container is full, the condiments do not reach the popcornat the bottom of the bag or tub. In addition, attempts to evenlydistribute the condiments by shaking the container commonly result inspillage. It would therefore be beneficial to provide an improvedcontainer that allows for uniform distribution of condiments.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the presently disclosed subject matter is directedto a container comprising a main compartment and an extension portion.The main compartment and the extension portion have a first position inwhich the main compartment and extension portion are engaged. In someembodiments, the main compartment and the extension portion have asecond position in which the extension portion is detached from the maincompartment by manipulation of a perforated edge that surrounds theexterior of the main compartment.

In some embodiments, the extension portion has a tapered cross-sectionand/or an access port for receiving a product. In some embodiments, theaccess port is selectively sealable. In some embodiments, the accessport comprises a removable cover.

In some embodiments, the perforations are selected from a line ofweakness, apertures, pinholes, ruptures, slits, a thickness reduction inthe container material, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the main compartment is configured to receive afood product, such as popcorn.

In some embodiments, the container includes a pull tab that encirclesthe perforated edge.

In some embodiments, the extension portion has an interior with a volumethat is greater than an interior volume of the main compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to beread in view of the drawings, which illustrate some (but not all)embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a container in accordance with someembodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 2a and 2b are perspective views illustrating alternate embodimentsof a container main compartment in accordance with some embodiments ofthe presently disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3a is a front plan view of a container extension in accordance withsome embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3b is a front plan view of a container access port in accordancewith some embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a lay flat view of one embodiment of a container handle inaccordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of one embodiment of a pull tab inaccordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 6a-6d are front plan views of one embodiment of using thedisclosed container.

FIG. 7a is a front plan view of a container in accordance with someembodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIGS. 7b and 7c are front plan views of one embodiment of using thecontainer of FIG. 7 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is introduced with sufficientdetails to provide an understanding of one or more particularembodiments of broader inventive subject matters. The descriptionsexpound upon and exemplify features of those embodiments withoutlimiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly describedembodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptionswill likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and featureswithout departing from the scope of the presently disclosed subjectmatter.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains.Although any methods, devices, and materials similar or equivalent tothose described herein can be used in the practice or testing of thepresently disclosed subject matter, representative methods, devices, andmaterials are now described.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and“the” refer to “one or more” when used in the subject specification,including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a bag” caninclude a plurality of such bags, and so forth.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofcomponents, conditions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the instant specification and attachedclaims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desiredproperties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subjectmatter.

As used herein, the term “about”, when referring to a value or to anamount of mass, weight, time, volume, concentration, and/or percentagecan encompass variations of, in some embodiments +/−20%, in someembodiments +/−10%, in some embodiments +/−5%, in some embodiments+/−1%, in some embodiments +/−0.5%, and in some embodiments +/−0.1%,from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate in thedisclosed packages and methods.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a container that allows the evendistribution of a first product (e.g., a condiment) to a second product(e.g., popcorn) housed within the container interior. For example,container 5 comprises main compartment 10 that is sized and shaped forhousing a product onto which a condiment is to be evenly distributed.The container further comprises extension portion 15 separated from themain compartment by perforations 20. The extension portion includesaccess port 25 for depositing items into the container interior, such aspopcorn, salt, butter, seasonings, and the like.

Main compartment 10 can be configured as a cup or other open-toppeddevice. For example, the main compartment can be configured as a squareor rectangular bag, a round or oval tub, or in any other desired shape.The main compartment includes an interior that is sized to house aportion of a product, such as food product. As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the main compartment includes base 30 that allows the container torest against a supportive surface, such as a table. The main compartmentfurther includes one or more sidewalls 35 that join with each other andthe base to form interior 40. Main compartment 10 includes open top 45,through which a product (such as popcorn) can be deposited into interior40. As shown in the figures, the main compartment can be constructed asa bag or a tub, although the presently disclosed subject matter is notlimited to any particular container.

Extension portion 15 is typically positioned above the main compartment,as shown in FIG. 1. The extension portion includes top face 50 and atleast one sidewall 55 connected thereto to form interior 60, asillustrated in FIG. 3a . Extension 15 further includes open bottom face65 that connects to open top face 45 of the main compartment. Theextension can have any desired shape, such as rectangular, square, oval,round, triangular, diamond, abstract, and the like. For example, theextension can be funnel-shaped, with a tapered cross-section.

In some embodiments, the volume of extension interior 60 is greater thanthe volume of interior 40 of the main compartment. However, thepresently disclosed subject matter also includes embodiments wherein thevolume of the extension interior is about the same or less than thevolume of the main compartment interior. Thus, the volume of theextension portion interior can be about 50-200% of the volume of themain compartment interior (e.g., 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95,100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 165,170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, or 200%).

Extension portion 15 comprises access port 25 to allow the addition of aproduct to the interior of the container. Access port 25 can be selectedfrom any known access port device, including (but not limited to)openings, zippers, hook and loop closures, buttons, snaps, stitching,and the like. For example, in some embodiments, access port 25 can beconfigured as an opening in the extension. In some embodiments, theaccess port can be selectively sealable (e.g., closable) through use ofcover 26, such that the access port can be accessed by removing at leasta portion of the cover, as shown in FIG. 3b . The cover can beadhesively attached over the access port, such that it can be reattachedduring use. It should be appreciated that cover 26 is not limited andcan include any cover known or used in the art.

Access port 25 can be configured on any desired surface of extensionportion 15, such as top face 50 or sidewall 55. When configured onsidewall 55, the access port can be positioned adjacent to or near thetop or upper surface of the extension. However, the location of accessport 25 is not limited.

The access port can be constructed in bag 5 using any method known orused in the art. For example, in some embodiments, the access port canbe created through the use of a cutting device, such as scissors,razors, lasers, etc.

Access port 25 can be configured in any desired size and shape. Forexample, the access port can be configured in a square, rectangular,circular, oval, triangular, diamond, cylindrical, or abstract shape.Further, the access port can have a length and/or width of about 2-8inches, such as about 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25, 3.5, 3.75, 4, 4.25,4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75,or 8 inches. However, access ports with dimensions greater than or lessthan the ranges set forth above are also included within the scope ofthe presently disclosed subject matter.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, extension portion 15 can optionally includehandle 70 to allow the user to easily grasp the container when desired,such as during use. Handle 70 can include any strap or other device usedfor grasping. In some embodiments, the handle is constructed as part ofthe extension portion (e.g., from a single portion of material).However, the handle can be constructed separately and can be attached toextension portion 15 using any known method, such as the use ofadhesives, mechanical closures (e.g., staples, rivets, screws), threadedattachment, and the like.

Container 5 (e.g., main compartment 10, extension 15, and optionalhandle 70) can be constructed from any material known or used in theart. For example, in some embodiments the container can be constructedfrom paper, plastic, wax-coated paper, plastic-coated paper, foil,laminates thereof, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, thematerials used to construct main compartment 10 can be the same as thoseused to construct extension portion 15. However, the presently disclosedsubject matter includes embodiments wherein the main compartment andattachment are constructed from different materials. In someembodiments, the materials used to construct container 5 are non-toxicand food-grade.

As set forth above, perforations 20 can divide the container into maincompartment 10 an extension portion 15. The term “perforations” as usedherein refers to any weakening of the container material that facilitiesthe separation of the extension portion from the main compartment. Forexample, the perforations can include a line of weakness, apertures,pinholes, ruptures, slits, a thickness reduction in the containermaterial, and the like.

Perforations 20 can be created in container 5 using any known method.For example, the perforations can be created by penetrating thecontainer material with needles or other sharp objects, ablation usinglasers, and the like.

In some embodiments, the container can include pull tab opener 21secured to the container proximal to perforations 20, as shown in FIG.5. In some embodiments, the pull tab is configured at an edge ofcontainer 5 adjacent to the perforations. The pull tab is convenientlygrasped by a user to exert a force that will detach the extensionportion from the main compartment along the line of perforations.

The main compartment and the extension portion can be constructed from asingle section of material. For example, the main compartment andextension portion can be formed from a single section of coated paper,and perforations added about the middle of the container after or duringconstruction. Alternatively, the main compartment and the extensionportion can be formed separately and attached together using any methodknown or used in the art, including the use of adhesives, heat sealing,and the like.

In use, container 5 allows first product (such as a condiment) to beevenly distributed to second product (such as a food product) housedwithin a main compartment. For example, a desired portion of foodproduct 75, such as popcorn, can be deposited through container accessport 25 into the interior of the container, as shown by Arrow A in FIG.6a . Due to the action of gravity, the food product will fall and remainwithin the interior of main compartment 10. Condiment 80 (such asbutter, salt, seasonings) can then be added to the container interiorthrough access port 25, as shown by Arrows B in FIG. 6b . The condimentswill be deposited on the top of the popcorn. To evenly distribute thecondiment onto the popcorn, the user will close access port 25 (throughcover 26 or by grasping the top portion of the container and manuallyclosing the access port) and shake and/or upend the container. As aresult, the product housed in the main compartment moves to theextension portion to allow even distribution of the condiment. Aftershaking has resumed, the mixed popcorn and condiment product naturallyfalls back into the main compartment when the container is repositionedsuch that base 30 of the main compartment rests on a support surface(such as a table). As illustrated in FIG. 6c , the user can then removethe extension portion along the perforation line, such as by graspingand pulling pull tab 21. The user can dispose of the extension and canenjoy the food product (e.g., popcorn) that has been evenly distributedwith condiment (e.g., butter, salt) from the open-topped maincompartment, as shown in FIG. 6 d.

It should be appreciated that the presently disclosed subject matteralso includes embodiments wherein the container lacks perforations 20,as illustrated in FIG. 7a . In these embodiments, the extension and themain compartment of container 5 are not physically separated (e.g., areformed from a single portion of material or are joined by a seam orother element). In use, a desired portion of food product 75 (e.g.,popcorn) can be deposited through container access port 25 into theinterior of the container, as shown by Arrow C in FIG. 7b . Due to theaction of gravity, the food product will fall and remain within theinterior of main compartment 10. Condiment 80 (such as butter, salt,seasonings) can then be added to the container interior through accessport 25, as shown by Arrows D in FIG. 7c . The condiments will bedeposited on the top of the popcorn. To evenly distribute the condimentonto the popcorn, the user will close access port 25 (through cover 26or by grasping the top portion of the container and manually closing theaccess port) and shake and/or upend the container. As a result, theproduct housed in the main compartment moves to the extension portion toallow even distribution of the condiment. After shaking has resumed, themixed popcorn and condiment product naturally falls back into the maincompartment when the container is repositioned such that base 30 of themain compartment rests on a support surface (such as a table). The usercan then access the popcorn by reaching into access port 25 or pouringthe food product out of the container interior (e.g., through the accessport or through another opening made in the container). Alternatively,the user can remove all or a portion of the extension using a removaldevice (such as scissors).

Advantageously, the disclosed container allows for uniform distributionof a first product (such as a condiment) on a second product (such as afood product) with no or minimal spillage. Further, the disclosedcontainer requires no additional containers, such as a second containerfor mixing the popcorn and the condiment. The disclosed container isalso less messy than previous containers because the mixing occurswithin the container interior.

1. A container comprising: a main compartment; and an extension portion;wherein the main compartment and the extension portion have a firstposition in which the main compartment and extension portion areengaged, and a second position in which the extension portion isdetached from the main compartment by manipulation of a perforated edgethat surrounds the exterior of the main compartment, wherein theperforations are selected from a line of apertures, pinholes, ruptures,slits, or combinations thereof.
 2. The container of claim 1, wherein theextension portion has a tapered cross-section.
 3. The container of claim1, wherein the extension portion has an access port for receiving aproduct.
 4. The container of claim 3, wherein the access port isselectively sealable.
 5. The container of claim 3, wherein the accessport comprises a removable cover.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The container ofclaim 1, wherein the main compartment is configured to receive a foodproduct.
 8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a pull tab thatencircles the perforated edge.
 9. The container of claim 1, wherein theextension portion has an interior with a volume that is greater than aninterior volume of the main compartment.
 10. A container comprising: amain compartment configured to receive a food product; and an extensionportion comprising a tapered cross-section and a selectively sealableaccess port for receiving a product; wherein the main compartment andextension portion have a first position in which the main compartmentand extension portion are engaged, and an optional second position inwhich the extension portion is detached from the main compartment bymanipulation of a perforated edge that surround the exterior of the maincompartment; wherein the container further comprises a pull tab thatencircles the perforated edge; and wherein the perforations are selectedfrom a line of apertures, pinholes, ruptures, slits, or combinationsthereof.